House to Home

I have the itch. I dream of the sweet taste of lemonade, the hearty smell of charcoal, and have visions of fireflies dancing in my head! I’m ready for summer but specifically for entertaining in my backyard—having friends over to enjoy good food and build memories—ahh I can’t wait! Who’s with me!? I thought today we could add to the itch by checking out some of the internet’s favorite backyard entertaining ideas.

Have you ever day dreamed about living “off the grid” or at the very least away from the city? There are some today who are going the route of homesteading; this puts them miles away from neighbors and likely hours from a city. This lifestyle is not for the faint of heart—think pioneers who settled “out west”… well kind of. Now we have technology and helpful tips all over the internet, like the ones we found on homesteading.com. I’m going to share with you some of the tips that were new to me but I encourage you to check out their site to learn more about homesteading and living a self-sufficient lifestyle. You can find a link at the end of this blog.

Being green isn’t just for the hippies of yesteryear, soccer moms, and PETA members; there are things that every day people can do that will contribute to the preservation of our environment. An environmentally-responsible home not only saves our planet but also will save you money. Here are some simple decisions that can do both:

Alexi took on the project of transforming her backyard from an unwelcoming, honestly repelling, space; to an inviting area that I, personally, would never want to leave! This is more than some stain on a deck and new patio furniture; she had to grow grass before she could even get started! Then she built a deck, added some pavers, a fire pit and chose the BEST outdoor lighting available! I’ve included the before and after photos of her amazing transformation below but please check out her blog, for more pictures, at: http://seekingalexi.com/backyard-transformation-before-after/

Snow White welcomed all the woodland creatures with her song and sweet demeanor. But not all of us are fortunate enough to have her looks and singing voice so if we want the joy of woodland creatures to be a part of our back yard we may have to try a bit harder. And why wouldn’t you want wild life in your back yard? It brings the beauty of nature to your property and is living proof that your place is safe.

November. December. January. February. March. April. I don’t know where you live but during these months, my patio and deck are not getting any love. They only serve as a spot for leaves to collect, ice to form and muddy paw prints to gather. But once that icky weather moves out, it is time for some outdoor living! I hate to say it but I don’t even use my outdoor area until late summer, early fall because it takes that long to get motivated to make it a space in which I want to be again. Together, let’s check out at ways to give our outdoor living areas a bit of life, making them useful again!

Above ground Pool? In Ground Pool? Just opt for Sprinklers? With summer around the corner, we can look forward to fun in the sun, which usually involves sipping on sweet lemonade and enjoying some sort of water fun. But how do you choose? Budget of course plays a big role in making a good decision but also consider the area in which you live.

If you don’t have one, you might be looking for a home with a wood deck, or you’re considering building one. A wood deck can add great value to your home as added outdoor living space, no matter how you intend to use it (for cook outs, as a lounge area, a place to hang your hammock and nap, or all of the above).